March 6 (BusinessDesk) – Lincoln University has appointed Andy West to be its new head from mid-April.

Lincoln University heads West for new leadership

By Peter Kerr

March 6 (BusinessDesk) – Lincoln University has appointed Andy West to be its new head from mid-April.

The former chief executive of two crown research institutes – Geological & Nuclear Sciences and AgResearch, West will take over Lincoln’s Vice-Chancellor role from Roger Field who announced his intention to retire last August.

West’s career spans education, science and innovation, agriculture, process manufacturing and tourism, following a BSc in Ecology from the University of Westminster and a PhD from the Council for National Academic Awards prior to immigrating to New Zealand.

He was also instrumental in the establishment and early leadership of the NZ Tertiary Education Commission and in running the NZ Qualifications Authority.

An international executive search process took place over the summer said Lincoln Chancellor, Tom Lambie. Given recent Canterbury earthquakes and the need to increase land-based productivity, the university is “fortunate to have been able to secure the skills of Dr West for this role,” Lambie said.

West received the Royal Society’s Thomson Medal for outstanding contributions to the development of science and technology in 2008, an Honorary Fellowship of Waikato Institute of Technology in 2009 and most recently, a Companionship of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2010.

West said Lincoln has a well-earned global reputation.

“Lincoln University is New Zealand’s only specialist university and the only university to be located in the countryside, true to the spirit of its land-based specialisation,” West said. “Long may that continue.”